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PML-N's Javed Latif, who created a furor in political circles after passing lewd comments about a fellow parliamentarian's family, admitted on Friday that he had used "a few indecent words" which he does not wish to repeat.

Talking to reporters outside the National Assembly, Latif said he would not go into the details of whether what he said "was right or wrong", but acknowledeged that he should not have passed indecent remarks.

A day earlier, a scuffle had broken out between Latif and Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) lawmaker Murad Saeed at the main entrance of the Parliament.

Footage of the incident showed Saeed attempting to assault Latif as the latter was leaving Parliament premises.

When asked about the reasons behind the scuffle, Saeed claimed that the PML-N parliamentarian had called his leader [Imran Khan] a traitor, which elicited a strong reaction from him.

Sexism in the National Assembly

Insulting behaviour towards women was not always a common occurrence in parliaments of the past.

“The one who started it all was Sheikh Rashid Ahmed,” recalls veteran journalist Nusrat Javeed, who has covered the National Assembly for well-over two decades.

He recalled two incidents from the first PPP government. “Benazir Bhutto was wearing a Pakistani green shirt and white shalwar.

When she walked in, he quipped ‘You look like a veritable parrot’, which did not go down well with Ms Bhutto at all and caused a ruckus in the house.”

Khawaja Mohammad Asif also has some history of making disagreeable and insulting comments towards women members in the house.

Khawaja Asif once called Begum Mehnaz Rafi of the PML-Q, who walked with a limp, a ‘penguin’. Although he was reprimanded by women parliamentarians across the board, it did not seem to make any difference to the politician.

In 2016, around the time that the assembly was debating the formation of Pakistan Airways, State Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Sheikh Aftab also made a lewd remark with reference to PTI's Shireen Mazari.

The PTI whip was badgering the minister to explain, during Question Hour, what international standards of security were being observed at the Islamabad airport. “In airports abroad, they also strip-search you. Is that the international standard she wants,” he responded, to peals of approving laughter from the treasury benches.

Although the women’s parliamentary caucus is supposed to take up issues like this, many women lawmakers Dawn spoke to in the past regarding the issue did not sound optimistic.

PTI’s Munazza Hassan told Dawn in the past that when she and Dr Shah went over to speak to MNA Shaista Pervaiz – who heads the women’s caucus – Marvi Memon, who was sitting nearby had interjected to say that if her voice was compared to a man’s, she would take it as a compliment.

“I told her that may be her opinion, but I am a woman and do not need to pride myself on manliness,” she said.

On DawnNews

Comments (35) Closed

Though it must not have happened at very first place but a nice and must needed move no one should talk in abusive way as two wrongs do not make right

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Bilkish Ali

Mar 10, 2017 04:26pm

These are the standards set by our elected leaders! ?

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Tanweer

Mar 10, 2017 04:31pm

That was due.... to say the least....

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ISrar

Mar 10, 2017 04:27pm

An apology, especially when he isn't even admitting what he said was wrong, is not enough in this case. He should face some reprimand from his party at least if the Speaker is not willing to do anything.

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ak

Mar 10, 2017 04:39pm

An apology wouldn't be enough if Mr. Javed Latif said what he said about the family of Murad Saeed. Although Murad is portrayed aggressive, however, he was not the one to pass "lewd" comments. Why Mr Javed is continuously posing that he has pardoned Murad for his anger while he has used his dirty tongue to ignite the anger? It look like if the Govt. benches are deliberately trying to invoke anger by continuously using foul language. Opposition should come with a better way of stopping such heinous plans and make an example of any one who use this kind of language.

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suriya shiraz

Mar 10, 2017 04:50pm

Not acceptable, Javed lateef talking with press seen on social media, is shame for him, talking sister, is our daughter, mother, Javed age is grand father, this talking is not acceptable, for apology, he should be barred for future, life banned, not allowed illegal talking, shame for Javed Lateef.

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naseem ahmad

Mar 10, 2017 05:00pm

Still a good move to admit loosing temper, and apologise for the incident. they should learn a lesson and move on to work for improving the country.

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Razi

Mar 10, 2017 05:04pm

Good gesture. Our legislators should behave the way the nation expects them to, like role models for the youngsters.

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fxpnks

Mar 10, 2017 05:10pm

This has been written numerous times, damage already done. Have a nice day.

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fxpnks

Mar 10, 2017 05:22pm

@Nomi Goraya insincere apologies change nothing.

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Haal

Mar 10, 2017 06:22pm

Well done by apologising for abusive language. We now expect apologies from PTI MNA for violence and assault.

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Nomi Goraya

Mar 10, 2017 06:22pm

@fxpnks But it is human way when you say SORRY it means you are SORRY and you need courage to say SORRY. And we are talking about politicians who have high egos and shallow personalities. It must not have happened at first place there are no two opinions about it. We need to learn a lot to have a decent way to have debate where we can talk with logic than emotions and slang but it will take long time as right now direction is reveres

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PhIlosopher(from japan)

Mar 10, 2017 06:31pm

Apology should be accepted and move on.

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Pragmatic approach

Mar 10, 2017 08:26pm

People have great value and respect for the one who accept apology. Murad Saeed is matured,has a lion heart,inshallah will pardon Javed Latif.

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imtiaz ali khan

Mar 10, 2017 08:46pm

Blame IK for everything but glad apology came from the guilty. Long live honest leaders of Pakistan they are so few of them. Love to IK.

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Iftikhar

Mar 10, 2017 08:57pm

The apology is not enough, there must be consequence for the offender. Speaker of the NA is also culpable by allowing lewd talk particularly by the ruling party members.

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Athar sherwani

Mar 10, 2017 09:26pm

Although I am disappointed by the fracas in Parliament yesterday, it has not come as a surprise since the aggressive entry of PTI in mainstream politics. Making unfounded allegations, vindictive character assassination and generally being rude has been par for the course. Cue for such unwelcome behavior comes from the party leader who routinely indulges in such action and feels very proud about it.

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Shaukat Ali Khan

Mar 10, 2017 09:29pm

Much appreciated; other politicians need to follow.

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Waqas

Mar 10, 2017 10:12pm

@Haal yes PTI MNA should also say that he does not want to say if he was wrong or right to punch Latif but he apologises for his actions at the time.....will that be OK as well....

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Seneca

Mar 10, 2017 11:15pm

Can you imagine such comments in a REAL western democracy? I guarantee his OWN party would disavow and ask him to resign. However is PK an apology and its back to normal, no repercussions or accountability. PK democracy and society is at least a good 50 years behind.

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Parvez

Mar 10, 2017 11:19pm

Small wonder that the people think the parliament is a waste of time and more importantly money.

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hopeful

Mar 10, 2017 11:53pm

@Tanweer Till they do it again.

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a ali

Mar 11, 2017 02:22am

@imtiaz ali khan - at least we now know who is Javed Latif... he used IK name to get famous and be noted in politics... such is the magnitude of just ONE MAN who is making others rich and get noticed whenever they use name of IK.. wonder where will be Danial Aziz, Talal, Saad Rafique and k Asif had IK not be in politics... these are all novices...

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jA-australia

Mar 11, 2017 04:24am

In a civilized country, this "thing" would have been fired by his party leadership and barred from any political office for life. In Pakistan, PML-N apologists will make excuses for him. But then again, this is the same party whose officials spend all their time defending Nawaz Sharif instead of doing the job for which the taxpayers are paying their salary.

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ahaq

Mar 11, 2017 06:35am

PML-N(awaz) bunch of ignorant fools running the government on their whims

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Muneer

Mar 11, 2017 06:53am

Mian Javaid Latif of PML(N) has done ,'Imputation ',which is an offense as per the Qazf Ordinance 1979, a law of Pakistan.PTI people should proceed legally against him.I watched his apology statement live on tv channels,it started with the remarks that he without going into the veracity of his statement ....Thus,he still implied what he said earlier.It is an apology to gain political mileage.

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shahid

Mar 11, 2017 07:46am

the least is to put a life time ban on javed latif from taking part in politics

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Javed Arshad

Mar 11, 2017 08:02am

This guy is so indecent.

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JKhan

Mar 11, 2017 10:22am

Abusive language is part of PML N culture. Lewd may not convey what this PML N MNA actually said.

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JKhan

Mar 11, 2017 10:25am

@ISrar but it is the Speaker himself. I thought you knew it.

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fxpnks

Mar 11, 2017 12:12pm

@JKhan well there's plenty more where that came from.

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syedchaudhrygangadinkhan

Mar 11, 2017 06:27pm

No apology, no regrets. Don't try to make a mountain out of nothing. Move on. There are several more important issues at hand that need attention.